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DERBY DELIGHT

DERBY DELIGHT

Jack Clegg1 Sep 2019 - 11:45
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Derby Delight & The South Africans are in the bin!

I just offered the ref my opinion
- James Ravell, Referee Advisor

Aspatria headed to Wigton on Saturday in the first round of the Cumbria Cup. Having unfortunately been let down in their only scheduled friendly, this would be the first action of the new season for The Black Reds whereas the home side had had the benefit of two hit outs previously.

Both sides were greeted with a superb playing surface but unfortunately a howling gale blew down the pitch from the clubhouse corner which would have a major effect on the game and its tactics.

Aspatria were first to play in to the gale as well as up the famous Low moor slope. On receiving the kick off Aspatria worked their way up field thru multiple phases. Kicking was not an option and in fact no kicks in open play would be attempted by the away side in the first half. Upon reaching the home side’s 22 possession was relinquished. As Wigton themselves tried to run it out, a pass from 9 to 10 was intercepted by crowd favourite Matthew Atkinson who romped in to the clubhouse corner for the opening score to the cheers of the away faithful. Unfortunately the conversion was not attempted as Clegg failed to ask the referee’s permission to replace the ball as it fell off the tee and was denied a chance to add the extra’s, 0:5 and a great start for Aspatria.

Wigton unsurprisingly came back and were soon awarded a penalty which was dispatched from 30 meters to make the score 3:5. Aspatria continued to be workmanlike in their efforts against the wind but the close play was often broke up by great breaks from No 8 Hodgson and returning fly half, Josh Watson. Josh would go on to make several breaks thru out the game and was a constant threat.

On 20 minutes it would be Hodgson who would break from 30 meters out and round the full back to score. With conversions a lottery, the score remained 5:10. Wigton attacked next and would gain the next score thru neat interplay down the grandstand blind side which resulted in Fraser Ledingham crossing the whitewash for a unconverted score.

The last action of the half would see Aspatria cross again. On gaining a penalty in the home 22, scrum half Clegg took it quickly but was obstructed by the home captain John Story who would take 10 in the bin. Aspatria went for the corner and a text book move saw Hodgson end up with the ball and two defenders on his back as he crashed over. Again unconverted and a HT score of 5:15. Aspatria were quite rightly delighted with the 1st half’s work given the conditions faced but knew that what they had just done could easily be replicated by the home side in the 2nd half, and it was!

Upon receiving the kick off Wigton went thru phases after phase. The first 10 minutes would be all Wigton and the Aspatria defence had to hold firm. It did but upon forcing a penalty, the away side went quick and a loose pass was intercepted by the home side and the full back ran 70 meters to score an unconverted try and to bring the scores to 13:15 and game on.

In truth this would be as close as it got, using the elements Aspatria were able to keep Wigton at arm’s length and their try line would never be threatened. However firstly Aspatria would be reduced to 14 men as Heinie Jonker took a 10 minute rest for over competing at a ruck. Strangely during this spell Aspatria would hit a purple patch and put the game out of sight. First up Atkinson would score in the left corner. Himself and Hodgson had been passing the time of day and discussing Gary’s recent home renovations works on the blindside when Clegg noticed the mismatch. Hodgson drew both defenders before a pop round the corner would see Atkinson get his 2nd try of the match. Finally to kicking Guru Angus Harrison’s delight, Clegg was able to nail a conversion from the left hand side.

Next up upon receiving the kick off, neat hands down the grandstand wing would see Ben Robinson scorch down the touchline to score wide out for an unconverted score. Straight from the kick off Aspatria again worked to the grandstand side where a neat chip from Clegg would bounce up for Robinson who scored his 2nd in two mins. This time on side stepping the final defender in the dead ball area, Robinson was able to bring the kick under the sticks for an easy conversion for Clegg. Back up to 15 men and 13:34 ahead the game was now hopefully secured.

Wigton never gave up however and continued to run the ball from everywhere. Aspatria suffered again with Jacque Row falling foul of the ref at the ruck and receiving a yellow. Bizarrely upon receiving the yellow Rowe was not allowed to leave the field as a quick tap was allowed which was played out in the immediate vicinity. Rowe spent the next 30 seconds trying to avoid the ball and attackers as the ref played on.

The last 10 minutes saw both sides pressing with ball in hand but it would be Aspatria with the final say. A quick tap was taken and carried in to contact; the ball was spun to fly half Watson who in turn found last year’s player’s player, Young Cav on his shoulder. Adam burst the line and rounded under the stick to perform what can only be described as a swan dive that Pearl Diving off Soccer AM would have been proud of. Upon seeing this unusual sight, Number 8 Hodgson, now taking a well-earned break on the side-lines, proceeded to fall thru the temporary railings at the front of the stand and tried to style it out as a calf stretch.

The conversion was kicked and a final score of 13:41 to the away side, a great start to the season with many positives.

Being a first run out plenty of pre-season plans were executed and carried out. The two new starters in Josh Watson and Prop, Jack Gaskell both had great games. The team and especially the forwards carried well in the first half in to the wind and ball retention was good.

However as mentioned by the players afterwards there is still a lot of area’s to work on. This work will need to place in both training and the players own personal time to ensure we are competitive in our new surroundings this year. A few niggles were picked up yesterday by both teams, hopefully these will clear up for next week in our case and we wish those on the Wigton side a quick recovery from any knocks sustained.

Next week see’s Aspull as our visitors. Aspull went thru last season unbeaten to gain promotion. A great achievement and will no doubts travel to Aspatria full of confidence. The home side will need to be on their metal for the full 80 next week in order to gain the result we desire. One things for sure though it is going to be both a competitive and entertaining league this year, one we are looking forward to being part of.

Next week’s sponsors are First Milk and kick off is 3:00pm.

(Usual Match Reporter back next week)

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